The number of established Primary Care Networks (PCNs) across Kenya’s 47 counties increased by 22 percent to 277 in the 2025/26 financial year, up from 227 the previous year, as counties expand a system designed to bring services closer to communities.

PCNs bring together health facilities and community-level services within a defined area to improve the coordination of care, referrals and access to essential services. They are intended to make primary healthcare facilities the first point of contact for most routine health needs, allowing patients to receive care closer to home while easing pressure on higher-level hospitals.

Dr Mercy Mwangangi, Chief Executive Officer of the Social Health Authority (SHA), said that the PCNs handle the bulk of the country’s routine health needs; hence, investing at this level is very critical.

“About 70 percent of health needs in the country are met at the primary healthcare level. Many of the conditions we commonly suffer from, such as flu, colds, and diarrhoea are handled at the primary healthcare level,” Dr Mwangangi said yesterday during a Media Town Hall ahead of the Kenya Health Summit next week.

“For every shilling invested in primary healthcare, you can recoup nine shillings. That is the return on investment of primary healthcare,” she added.

According to SHA data, over the past 18 months, the government has invested Sh27 billion in primary healthcare compared with Sh1.8 billion invested by the previous government.

The expansion is part of the counties’ broader efforts to strengthen primary healthcare and improve access to services.

The Council of Governors’ Maarifa Centre documented 23 county innovations and best practices on PCNs from 15 counties, covering integrated service delivery, community health systems, referral coordination, digital health and health workforce strengthening.

The growth of the networks comes as the government seeks to remove financial barriers to accessing care at lower levels of the health system.

Speaking at the same event, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said that primary healthcare at Level Two, Level Three and part of Level Four facilities is free to Kenyans, while acknowledging that some facilities continue to charge patients despite the policy.

“A Kenyan should be able to walk into a facility, receive treatment and walk out without being charged,” Mr Duale said, adding that the policy applies whether a facility is faith-based, county-run, private or church-based.

“I agree that there are challenges, including cases where some facilities still attempt to charge patients.”

Mr Duale said the government has allocated Sh19 billion in the current financial year to fund treatment for Kenyans accessing dispensaries, health facilities and some Level Four services.

“Therefore, charging a Kenyan for these services is a criminal offence, regardless of the type of facility,” he said.

→ lowoko@ke.nationmedia.com

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